How to Open Your Pool for Spring in Houston, TX

As the warmer spring weather arrives, it’s likely you’ll want to get back to using your swimming pool again. 

While you’ll undoubtedly be eager to dive right in, it’s important to take the time to conduct a proper pool opening. 

In this article, we’ll explain how to properly open your pool for spring here in Houston, TX. 

What is opening a pool?

The term ‘pool opening’ refers to the range of processes and maintenance tasks that need to be carried out after your pool has been closed. Usually, pools are ‘closed’ during the cooler months as it is too cold to swim, and the opening process needs to take place to make sure the pool water is safe to use, with any bacteria that may have formed removed.  

How to open a pool in Houston, Texas

When opening your pool in spring, there are several things you need to make sure you do. By following the steps below, you can be sure that your pool in Houston, TX is safe and in the very best condition to swim in. 

Remove and clean the pool cover

First and foremost, when opening your pool you will need to remove the pool cover if applicable. A pool cover is designed to prevent pool water from escaping via evaporation as well as stopping debris or contaminants from entering the water during the cooler months when you’re not going to be using it as regularly. 

Once the pool cover has been removed, you should also drain it to minimize the amount of debris that may have been floating underneath it. You can also clean the pool cover by using a cover pump, sweeping it, and manually removing debris from it.   

Remove debris from the pool

Even with a pool cover in place, some debris, such as leaves, twigs, and other outdoor materials, may have found its way into your pool’s water. 

If this is the case, you need to make sure all debris has been removed before you use the pool. You can use a pool net to scoop any debris out as well as a pool skimmer to collect loose debris that may have formed in filters. It’s important to do this as debris can cause harmful bacteria to form in the water. 

Check pool equipment 

Take some time to inspect all of your pool equipment to make sure it remains in good condition following the cooler months. In particular, check the pool’s filter and pumps to make sure there are no cracks or other types of damage. 

If there is no visible damage, turn on the equipment and monitor how it is performing. If you notice any problems, you should call in a professional pool company to assess whether it needs replacing.

Check and regulate the pool’s pH levels

The next step is to test your pool’s pH level. You can use pH testing strips to do this and your pool’s pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6. 

A pH below the recommended level is too acidic, which can damage your pool equipment and cause a swimmer’s eyes to sting, whereas a pH level that is too high can cause skin rashes. 

Shock the pool

It’s likely that your pool water’s chlorine level will have dropped over the colder months, so you will need to apply a shock treatment to get it back to the optimum level. 

Chlorine levels in backyard pools need to be between 1-4 ppm. This is essential for keeping pools clean and sanitized, and pools that are not shocked correctly can see harmful bacteria grow in the water, causing people to become unwell.  

Let pool water filter through 

Finally, you should wait at least 24 hours to give the filtration system a chance to filter the water through.  You might want to check the chemical levels again after the water has filtered.

Then, your pool is ready to be enjoyed!

At Backyard Paradise Luxury Pools, we can take care of pool opening on your behalf as part of our pool maintenance service. This means you don’t need to worry about shocking, cleaning, or maintaining your pool, as our trained technicians will do everything for you. We offer pool opening in Houston to people across Montgomery, the Woodlands, Spring, and the surrounding areas. For more information about pool maintenance, or if you’re looking to have a new custom pool or spa installed in your backyard, get in touch with our team today.